Category: theological Page 5 of 8

Saul, the persecutor of Christians is converted by a blinding flash of light on the road to Damascus.

Saul was a Jew and had been present at the stoning of Stephen, he was on his way to make sure that further Christians were held in check.

But, we are told in Acts 9: 1-20, that whilst he was on the Way he was blinded and a voice came to him asking him why he was persecuting him. Saul asked who the voice belonged to and Jesus replied that it was him.

He was three days without sight. Ananias was asked to find him and lay hands on him to restore his sight, which he did, but wondering why he was helping this man who was renowned as a persecutor.

And so the start of Paul/Saul’s start of leading the church and spreading the word in his imitable style into many countries and places.

Hidden in the story there are references to Christian terms; one being The Way and the other being The street that is called Straight.

The Way, or the path or the journey or the place in which to walk – a need to follow where we are called.

The Street that is called Straight… probably the modern Darb el-Mostakin in Damascus (as above), but reference to following the path that is straight although in a journey of faith it is seldom ever straight.

But to follow the Way and as much as we can to walk in a straight path, easier said than achieved and unlike Paul , after his conversion,many find it hard.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Jesus looks in to the near future and sees his betrayal and death.

John 13:21-32

Feeling troubled, Jesus says that one of the disciples will betray him, but the disciples miss what he is really meaning and so don’t get the message. Judas is handed the piece of bread by Jesus and told do do the deed quickly.

Judas disappears into the night.

What is about to happen in the next few days will leave the world in a different place to any other time then and now.

It seems that the disciples were oblivious to the messages that Jesus had given. No wonder then that they would also deny any involvement with Jesus, even Peter.

But a message that was plain to them all, ‘I give you a new commandment that you love one another’.

A message as much for today.

Sue Martin

Assistant Priest St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, London

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing that night
Glory to God and peace to men
Now and for evermore. Amen

Messages! John the Baptist to the angels visiting the shepherds.
Important messages, probably the most important message in the world!!

But a message from whom?
Who is it that is calling out to us in the time of darkness, nights getting longer and days getting shorter, it’s getting closer and closer…

Guiding, directing, showing the way, bit like pathways and life too.

How often do we decide that the path is not the right one for us, too long? Too stony or swampy? Too much for the time we have today?

But the path that God has set before us is never too long, there is never a time to give up on the work and the life that we have before us.

When you feel yourself starting to give in to the comfy cosy option then get back to the path ahead

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate Gayton group of parishes

Only a few weeks to go…. a message I saw on a church notice board this week was ‘ Here I come ready or not…’

No matter how much we decorate the house, buy all the presents and make the mince pies, on 25th December Christmas will arrive.

‘Are you ready for Christmas?’, is a question so many people ask. But who is actually ready for this very special birthday, who can make sure that all is prepared? Will not Jesus find us at the least expected time?

My favourite Christmas story is Papa Panov, by Leo Tolstoy. The tired and weary shoe maker waits and waits for Jesus to arrive. Whilst he is waiting he helps the poor woman and her child, the old lady who needs some food. But still he does not see Jesus, or does he?

At the end of the day, Jesus asks Papa Panov, ‘ Did you not see me Papa Panov, did you not know that I was the little child and the old lady.’

And Advent is like that. A time for getting ready and when we least expect it He appears.

Here I come ready or not…

Rev’d Sue Martin

Gayton Group of Parishes

Faith Goes Walkabout